At a glance
| Analyte | Creatine kinase MB isoenzyme |
|---|---|
| Also called | CKMB, CK-MB mass |
| Method | Two-site sandwich chemiluminescence immunoassay |
| Sample type | Serum, Plasma |
| Panel | Cardiac |
| Discipline | CLIA immunoassay |
| Brand | Mindray |
What CK-MB measures
Creatine kinase exists as several isoenzymes, and the MB form is relatively concentrated in heart muscle, which made it the standard cardiac marker before troponin assays became available. It is less specific than troponin, because skeletal muscle contains some MB as well and substantial skeletal injury will raise it. It also clears from the circulation more quickly, which is the one property that still gives it a role: a faster return to baseline means a second event after a first can be more visible against a falling CK-MB than against a troponin that is still elevated. It is reported alongside troponin rather than instead of it.
How Philippine laboratories run it
CK-MB continues to be requested in Philippine hospitals, sometimes by protocol and sometimes by long-standing habit, well after troponin has become the primary marker, so laboratories generally carry both. Its volume is lower than troponin and its requests usually accompany rather than replace one. Laboratories reviewing their cardiac menu should look at whether CK-MB requests are arriving with a clinical rationale or simply on an old order set, since that answer determines whether it is worth keeping the reagent in stock alongside a stat troponin.
Analyzers it runs on
Calibrator, controls and companion tests
Delivered with the rest of the cardiac panel, on the same schedule as CK-MB.
Storage and handling
Refrigerated, upright, and not frozen.
Buying CK-MB in the Philippines
CK-MB is supplied for the CL-2600i and CL-900i. We deliver it with hs-cTnI and LDH, because a run held up waiting on a separate order costs the same shift a stock-out does. Delivery is scheduled against your monthly CK-MB count, so the bench is not rationing tests in the last week of the month. How we plan clia immunoassay supply.
Questions about CK-MB
Is CK-MB still worth reporting now that troponin is available?
Troponin is the more specific and more sensitive marker and has become the primary one. CK-MB retains a limited role because it clears from the circulation faster, which can make a subsequent event easier to see against a falling value. Many Philippine laboratories keep it on the menu chiefly because it is still being requested, which is a legitimate reason to stock it.
Order CK-MB
Tell us your monthly CK-MB volume and we will quote a supply schedule for CL-2600i. We reply within one business day.
Request a quotation